Math

Math is more of a universal language. In our program and in Kindergarten, in general, we start with the basics. Counting, recognizing numbers, shapes, colors, writing numbers, and patterns. This is the subject area where we see the most transfer of knowledge. If you know what 5 means in English you can easily understand that it means 5 in Spanish(it is called something different but the value of 5 didn't change because of the language). In Math, we use a lot of songs to help students remember. They love our count to 100 song. Sometimes when they get stuck I remind them of the song and that helps them. Can you say the ABC's without the song in your head? In our assessment of the children's knowledge, we don't care which language they can demonstrate that skill in for us to know that they understand it. Usually the second language is just slightly behind the primary language. For example, one of our students' counted to 15 in Spanish and then I asked him to count in English and he counted to 12. I also believe that our math learning is much more hands-on than "reading".